Great Gig In The Sky – Pink Floyd

Dive deep into one of Pink Floyd’s most emotionally stirring compositions with our Great Gig In The Sky guitar lesson at Licklibrary.com. This note-for-note breakdown gives guitarists the opportunity to explore and master the unique textures and subtle techniques that define this iconic track from The Dark Side of the Moon. While the original recording is not heavily guitar-driven, the atmospheric layers and harmonic choices open the door to a wealth of expressive and advanced guitar playing techniques that can elevate your musical vocabulary. Jamie Humphries breaks down this classic track in this exclusive Lick Library video tutorial.

Song Overview

The Great Gig In The Sky is best known for its haunting vocal performance by Clare Torry and its dramatic progression, making it one of the most moving instrumental-vocal hybrids in rock history. While the song doesn’t feature a prominent guitar solo in the traditional sense, it provides fertile ground for expressive guitar work through carefully crafted chordal movement, ambient textures, and melodic embellishments. Our lesson adapts this to the guitar with a focus on phrasing, dynamics, and emotive delivery, offering a fantastic opportunity to develop a more musical and expressive playing style.

About the Guitarist

Though David Gilmour doesn’t take centre stage on The Great Gig In The Sky in the way he does on other Pink Floyd tracks, his influence is still palpable. Gilmour’s masterful use of tone, dynamics, and phrasing is embedded in the overall feel of the song. Known for his lyrical solos and precision with effects, Gilmour has influenced countless guitarists with his ability to make each note sing. Studying this piece through the lens of Gilmour’s playing teaches more than just technique—it teaches emotion through the instrument.

Techniques Covered in the Lesson

String Bending

String bending is key to expressing emotion on the guitar, and our lesson incorporates subtle bends to emulate vocal-like phrasing. This technique allows you to raise the pitch of a note smoothly, mimicking the nuances of the human voice—perfect for interpreting a song as emotive as this.

Vibrato

Essential for adding character and sustain to long-held notes, vibrato enhances the emotional impact of your playing. You'll learn how to control vibrato speed and width to shape your sound with precision, much like David Gilmour.

Slides

Slides add a fluid, connected feel to melodic lines. Whether transitioning between chords or connecting melodic notes, slides help bring a smooth, vocal-like quality to your phrases—ideal for a track like this.

Arpeggios

To emulate the harmonic richness of the piano in the original track, arpeggios are used throughout the guitar arrangement. Practicing these helps improve fretboard navigation and finger independence while adding depth to your chordal playing.

Legato

Using a legato approach—relying on hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides—creates a seamless, flowing sound. In this lesson, legato lines are used to emulate the gentle rise and fall of the vocal melody.

Hammer-Ons and Pull-Offs

These are fundamental techniques for playing smooth, connected lines. Hammer-ons and pull-offs enable quick, fluid note changes that are essential for building expressive solos and melodic passages.

Sustain

The lesson makes extensive use of sustain to hold notes and let them breathe—mimicking the lingering quality of the original vocal line and piano chords. This is a vital skill for creating emotional impact and giving your solos space.

Barre Chords

While not flashy, barre chords are essential for navigating the chord progression smoothly. This technique also builds finger strength and dexterity, allowing for cleaner transitions between chord shapes.

Chord Progressions

Understanding chord progressions is key to capturing the song’s harmonic feel. Our lesson breaks down the song's unique progression, teaching you to recognise and use similar emotional structures in your own compositions.

Benefits of Learning This Song

Studying The Great Gig In The Sky on guitar teaches much more than just technique—it instills the importance of musicality. Players will improve their dynamic control, touch, and tone. These are not just skills for this one song, but for creating memorable, expressive music across any genre. You’ll gain confidence in phrasing, develop a keener ear for harmony, and build the ability to emotionally connect with your instrument.

This lesson is ideal for intermediate to advanced guitarists looking to deepen their understanding of melodic playing, expressive technique, and ambient chord work.

Techniques Featured in This Lesson

• Vibrato
• Legato
• Arpeggios
• Hammer-Ons
• Pull-Offs
• Slides
• String Bending
• Barre Chords
• Chord Progressions
• Sustain